About Sjogrens Syndrome

"Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic disorder that causes damage to the salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth, and the tear glands, resulting in dry eyes. It can also affect other parts of the body including joints, muscles and nerves, organs such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas, stomach and brain, or glands such as the thyroid gland. Sjögren's syndrome can cause complete destruction of any of these areas. Since Sjögren's syndrome can affect the liver and pancreas, there is a greater chance of developing cancer of the lymph tissue. However, this is an unusual and rare result.  Sjögren's syndrome can occur in two ways. It is 'secondary' Sjögren's syndrome when it occurs in people who have a rheumatic condition or connective tissue disease such as lupus, scleroderma or polymyositis. It is named 'primary' Sjögren's syndrome when dry eyes and mouth are not associated with a rheumatic condition. The disease is named after the Swedish eye doctor, Dr. Henrik Sjögren, who first described it in 1933. He had been treating a group of women who had chronic arthritis accompanied by dry eyes and mouth."  From The Arthritis Society Canada Website - www.arthritis.ca

Links to Learn More About Sjogrens Syndrome

Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sjogrens-syndrome/DS00147

MERCK Manual http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch068/ch068d.html

Sjogrens Foundation (USA) http://www.sjogrens.org/

Sjogrens Socitey Canada http://www.sjogrenscanada.org/